University of Missouri—St. Louis Introduces Safety App to Campus

The University of Missouri—St. Louis has implemented a new personalized safety network for students, faculty and staff thanks to a new recently launched mobile app known as Rave Guardian.

According to a press release from the university, the app is free to download and offers speed-dial functionality to reach campus police, a safety timer that acts as a virtual escort and a call directory of university and national support services. Rave Guardian is GPS equipped, allowing dispatchers to immediately identify the locations of callers, even if they cannot speak due to an emergency.

“This technology provides the same immediate contact with the campus police as a blue light telephone with the added ability to display your location on campus,” said Paul Anderson, the executive officer of UMSL’s Bureau of Standards and Technology in the press release. “Essentially, this is a blue light phone in your pocket. You no longer need to find one to contact the police. Simply press the 'Call UMSL Police' button on your app for one-touch dialing.”

The implementation of the Rave Guardian mobile app followed a 2017 intercampus safety summit hosted by the University of Missouri System. The meeting served to promote the newly acquired UM System Campus Emergency Alert Training to educate students, faculty and staff on how to respond when alerts are sent via UMSL's emergency notification system. This opt-in system alerts the campus community of any impending danger through emails and text messages.

“The UMSL Police Department is excited about this new safety technology that will be available to all students, faculty and staff,” Anderson said. “The Rave Guardian app affords the user an added layer of personal safety.”

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.